Everybody knows October/November are firing months. Mick has done really well there, he's had some rough decisions go against him and I hope they stick with him - but the problem is form. When you have two straight defeats you're under pressure, let alone six.
This is a Swansea team that was rolled over very, very easily at Norwich and away from home they've really struggled. They play nice football but look too open and I wonder whether Brendan Rodgers might change the shape a bit. Wolves to edge it.
Prediction: 2-1  Aston Villa v West Brom
We always knew West Brom would recover from their poor start to the season because they have a very pragmatic manager and it's no surprise that they're now unbeaten in three. Peter Odemwingie's back on form and Shane Long is looking a better signing by the week. His movement and hold-up play is superb.
Villa were swatted away by Manchester City for their first defeat of the season last Saturday but a lot of teams will go to Etihad Stadium and get dispatched in similar fashion. From their point of view, they've just got to wipe the slate clean and go again.
They'll be absolutely fine this season. Gabriel Agbonlahor is playing well and he can be a real threat for them. West Brom will certainly have their hands full but they're on an upward curve and will be very difficult to beat.
Prediction: 1-1  Bolton v Sunderland
This is massive for Steve Bruce. Last Saturday, his Sunderland side got back to 1-1 at Arsenal and Lee Cattermole saw a fantastic chance saved by Wojciech Szczesny. That could have changed everything but it didn't go in and, if I'm to be harsh, it underlined Sunderland's big problem: goalscoring.
In letting Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan leave, they've lost their goalscorers. If they still had both players, they might be 10th. Instead, they finished last season poorly and have picked up where they left off this time round - it's relegation form.
The crowd has started to get at Bruce and he lost an ally when Niall Quinn stepped down as chairman. They've got an American owner who is probably thinking 'do we make a change of manager?'.
To make life harder for Bruce, his team face a Bolton side who will be on a high following what was crucial victory at Wigan. They're still in the bottom three but don't forget they have already played Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. Home win.
Prediction: 2-1  Newcastle v Wigan
Newcastle maintained their unbeaten start to the season at home to Tottenham on Sunday with an excellent display. Spurs were twice in front but Alan Pardew's men just kept coming back and eventually reaped their reward.
They've got great belief and an excellent home record. Under Pardew, St James' Park is a far tougher place to go than it has been for a long time. They've got four strikers vying for two places - or sometimes one - and the competition is certainly working.
In the summer, they sold big and brought small in terms of fees but it's working and Mike Ashley will feel vindicated. He's finally getting some of his huge investment back.
Next up is a Wigan team you just can't predict - they're consistently inconsistent during games, let alone from game to game, and their defence is all over the place. I can't see them coming away with anything other than a loss.
Prediction: 2-0  Liverpool v Norwich (1730 BST)
I was at Carrow Road for Norwich v Swansea and, I tell you, the Canaries are lively and extremely competitive. Paul Lambert's and his players have cottoned on very early that they will need to beat the teams around them if they are to stay in the top flight.
They went to Bolton and won, beat Swansea fairly comfortably and - although not a rival - they also made chances against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But Liverpool arrive fresh from a week's rest following a morale-boosting draw with United, Steven Gerrard is back and there's lots of competition for places. It'll take another three or four games before we can judge how well the players they bought have integrated, but they seem to be on the up.
So, Liverpool to win by a couple of goals but that's by no means the end of the world for vastly-improving Norwich outfit.
Prediction: 2-0
SUNDAY  Arsenal v Stoke (1330 BST)
Stoke never look convincing on the road. To have an away game at Arsenal three days after a tough Europa League fixture is a tough gig. Arsenal are slowly coming back into form - they're not an outstanding team but they're not as bad as many people have been making out.
One of Stoke's problems is trying to mix, match and marry the Europa League performances and results to their next game in the Premier League. Tony Pulis has got a good squad but he can't make wholesale changes. People have tipped them to challenge for a place in the top eight but I think they've got a lot to do to get in there.
Arsenal nicked a late winner against Marseille on Wednesday but they've not impressed in the league so far and look like they're going to struggle to make the top four. If they lose that Champions League place, which has almost been a guarantee for so many years, then they're in trouble.
But they're getting results now, chipping away at the teams above them and moving up the table. You'd have to fancy them on Sunday, too.
Prediction: 2-0  Fulham v Everton (1330 BST)
Everton's defeat at Chelsea last time out means they've lost three league games on the trot for the first time under David Moyes, and they won't find it easy to return to winning ways at Craven Cottage.
If new signing James McFadden is fit, that's a good bit of business and will help their cause. But what he really needs is Luis Saha fit and on form. If that happens, Everton will shoot up the table. They're in the bottom six and while I'm sure they'll be OK come May, it's such a paper-thin squad that they can't afford any more injuries.
Fulham are away in Krakow on Thursday so they might still be feeling the effects when Everton visit, but they are starting to impress me under Martin Jol. They remind me of Roy Hodgson's Fulham. Jol's a good coach who has made them difficult to beat but, at home, I'd like to see him pick one more attacking player.
They've finally got competition for places up front. Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Moussa Dembele are all fit, while Bryan Ruiz will only get better.
Prediction: 1-1  Man Utd v Man City (1330 BST)
When Chelsea went to Old Trafford earlier in the season, Andre Villas Boas played a 4-3-3 formation and had a real go. I know the Blues were beaten 3-1 but they made lots of chances and that's the approach City need to take.
It will be fascinating to see whether Mancini reverts to type with a more conservative approach - he was extremely negative against Manchester United in the league last season. I actually think City will come away with a draw but that's primarily because United haven't been playing particularly well of late.
Basel went to Old Trafford, had a go and scored three, while Liverpool and Norwich have also caused them trouble lately. It's more about City than United. You know what you're getting with United. Sir Alex can change the team around and still get a similar performance. I think Mancini would take a draw now.
The key will be how well City deal with Wayne Rooney and how effectively United handle David Silva. Both of them kind of operate in no-man's land and are brilliant at playing in between the lines of teams. Whoever has more success could well influence the result.
We know United will be in the mix at the end of the campaign but City are also genuine title contenders. They're not going anywhere and have genuine quality. I just worry about Mancini a little bit - he's already saying his midfield players are tired. We've only played 10 games! Over the long season that's my only concern because it gives the players an excuse.
Prediction: 1-1  Blackburn v Tottenham
Blackburn, quite simply, are in a mess. I know they got a point at QPR and people who were there said they looked a little bit better than the hosts, but that's not really saying a lot for Blackburn. They also beat Arsenal a few weeks ago but that could have gone either way and Arsenal had enough chances to have cantered away.
Their only chance of winning this one is if Tottenham buckle in the face of Rovers' physicality. However, Spurs have a midfield that is more than up to the task and that's the vital area for me.
Harry Redknapp would have been chasing his players this week - twice they led at Newcastle and they should have gone on to win, only to draw 2-2. They'll get chances against Blackburn, though, and I think they'll take them.
They were also in European action on Thursday but Harry will play the kids again and make nine odd changes for Sunday, so fatigue won't be an factor. They're well in the hunt for fourth place and while fellow-contenders Arsenal continue to look unconvincing, Harry will be desperate to open up as much daylight as possible.
Prediction: 1-2  QPR v Chelsea (1600 BST)
Put simply, QPR don't create enough chances. That's a problem against most teams; against Chelsea it's a huge problem. The Blues have got too much for QPR in every single department. The quiet revolution has started at Chelsea - they're playing a little bit different and it's showing in their results.
You look at Andre Villas Boas and think he's been there two-and-a-half years, not three or four months. He's trying to get them to move the ball a little bit quicker, getting players like Juan Mata on the ball to feed Fernando Torres and doing it quickly before teams have got themselves back in shape defensively.
Mata will make lots of goals and score a few, and slowly but surely Torres is starting to look a bit more like his old self. The big statement there is that Torres and Sturridge seem to be the number one choices, with Didier Drogba being phased out and Nicolas Anelka's contract is up at the end of the season.
Villas Boas has had a lot to contend with but I'm impressed with him; he's a very intelligent man and a good coach. Chelsea are very much in the title race.
QPR appear to be having good days and bad days. When they're good they're very good and when they're bad they're very bad. Unfortunately for them, I reckon Sunday will be a bad day.
Prediction: 0-2
Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's David Ornstein | 
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